A latest example of covert filming, at a Dorset farm housing half a million laying hens, saw 2 sheds having their British Lion accreditation suspended. The footage purported to show no stock inspections in a part of the farm for 4 days.

While most retailers agreed to stop selling colony eggs by 2025, there was less momentum in the food service and egg products sector because of their significantly lower cost of production when compared with free-range egg farming. Photo: Koos Groenewold

75,000 people signed petition

In addition, more than 75,000 people have signed a petition calling for the company to end its involvement in colony egg production.

Activists such as those at charity the Humane League have sought to highlight that Noble Foods’ flagship brand, the Happy Egg co, has marketing that focuses on high-welfare and affording birds access to the outdoors. It considers this a stark contrast to birds in its caged systems.

But in 2016 campaigners succeeded in convincing British supermarkets to move to cage-free eggs.

While most retailers agreed to stop selling colony eggs by 2025, there was less momentum in the food service and egg products sector because of their significantly lower cost of production when compared with free-range egg farming.

Noble Foods’ statement in full

“Noble Foods has today announced a group-wide commitment to supplying cage-free eggs by 2025. This announcement comes as the culmination of months of planning to achieve the realities of moving to solely cage-free production. Noble has been working closely with its retail partners and the farming community to ensure a smooth transition.”